In a groundbreaking move, China has recently announced a policy that bans AI-generated audio and video works that have not been watermarked. This is a major step forward for the nation as it works on protecting intellectual property rights.
AI-generated audio and video works are becoming increasingly popular in China, with businesses and individuals alike using the technology to create unique content for everything from movies to music. However, the lack of watermarks has left the content exposed to potential copying and misuse. With the new policy, the government is taking a firm stance against this practice and insisting that any works generated with AI have watermarks.
The decision was made in response to recent scandals involving well-known celebrities whose work was plagiarized by others. Officials believe that the watermark requirement will help to protect the rights of authors and producers, while creating a more formal regime that makes it easier to spot illegally copied works.
It’s worth noting that the policy is not just limited to AI-generated works. It applies equally to all photographs, videos, audios and other materials created by any technical processes, such as those made with 3D printing, 3D scanning and robotic processes. They must all be marked with a unique mark or code that must be registered with the government.
In addition to this, the new policy stipulates that anyone who has illegally copied or used an AI-generated work without permission must be held liable for both civil and criminal punishments. This is likely to be a major deterrent for potential wrongdoers.
The move is a commendable one and shows that the government is serious about protecting IP rights. It’s an important step towards creating a safer and fairer environment for artists and producers in the country. Hopefully, it will also make it harder for copycats and plagiarists to profit from the work of others.